Draft rigging



vMay 28, 1935. D. s. BARRows DRAFT RIGGING Filed Aug. l5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @gif /o IIIIIIIIIIIL May 28, 1935 D. sfBARRoWs l2,003,231

DRAFT RIGGING Filed Allg. 15, 1927 2 sham-sheet 2 Hmm a 47 56 43 I 4E J7 v 3 l, 2Q I /a as@ 6 a f1 I; l Wx J0@ L A 47 7 v rf, Q5 6 l f I l 51@ Wnto/o Patented May 28, 1935 rATstVr oFF1cE- DRAFT RiGGING Donald S. Barrows, Rochester, N. Y., assgnor to The Siyrnington Company, New York, N. Y., a. corpcration of MarylandV Application August 15,A

39 Claims.

This application is a continuation, in part, of my co-pending application Serial No. 72,303, led November 30, 1%25, now Patent No. 1,852,143, of `April 5, 1932.

This invention relates to draft rigging and, more particularly, to a swivel butt coupler so designed and modied that itv may be used with an A. R. A. integral striking casting and carry iron. v

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is the provision oi a swivel Vbutt coupler of the type involving a swivel block pivotally connected to the butt thereof, said butt being reduced in height by the elimination of the usual top and bottom lugs adapted tocooperate with corresponding webs or flanges on the swivelY block, Wherebythe height of said butt is reduced to approximately that of a rigid shank coupler, thereby adapting it for employment with A. R. A. or standard'integral striking casting and carry iron.

An object of my invention is the provision of a draft rigging involving a yoke, swivel butt coupler with a swivel block pivotally connected thereto and a horizontal key connecting saidV coupler and yoke, employed with a combined striking casting and carry iron, the butt of said coupler, when the swivel block is disconnected therefrom, being reduced in height by the elimination of the usual top and bottom bearing lugs so that it may be inserted in place with respect to the combined casting before the application of the wear plate theretdsaid coupler butt being connected with the swivel block subsequent to insertion in place. f

Another object of my invention is the provision of a swivel butt coupler in which the butt thereof is pivotally connected with an associated swivel block by means of anuprght or vertical pin, said pin being formed for bottom removal and provided with bottom locking means such as a cotter, whereby connection between said coupler and swivel block may be made after said members are in place. f v

A further object of my invention to provide a draft rigging involvingT a swivel butt coupler and an integral striking casting and carry iron with a readily removable wear plate on said carry iron, whereby the stem oi the coupler may be inserted in place before application of the wear plate, after v hich said wear plate is positioned and connected to said carry iron.

Ot er objects and advantages ofV the invention relating 4to the particulararrangement and con- 1927, Serial No. 213,144

struction of the, various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds,

Referring tc the drawings illustrating my linvention, the scopewhereof .is deiined by the appended claims: v

Figure l is a plan of my swivelbutt coupler, the associated combined striking casting and carry iron being illustrated inhorizontal sectionl with parts of the draft rigging diagrammatic-,ally designated in dot and dash lines.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the coupler, the combined striking casting `and coupler ,carry iron as well as other portions of the coupler being shown in central vertical section.Y

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the combined striking casting and coupler` carry iron, Ythe removable wear plate being shown partly in vertical section.

' Figure 4 is a plan of another embodiment of my invention, utilizing. a vertical yoke, and shown partly in section.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 5--5 of Figure 4 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional 4view of the 2- Y vertical yoke shown in Figure 5 on the line 5-6 thereof looking in the direction of theA arrows. n Figure l is a partial transverse sectional View on the line l--l of Figure G looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional View corresponding to Figure 5A but showing another modication.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional View on the line -Q of Figure 8 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters and rst considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and, there is shown a coupler i of the swivel `butt type with the stem or shank portion 2 thereof extending through the coupler receiving aperture 3 of a. combined striking castingV and coupler carry iron Il. Said combined'castin'g involves a striking portion 5, side portions G, and a sill tie Vrnember or coupler carry iron portion 1A connecting the lower ends of the side portions 6. The side portions 5 are preferably formed with rearwardly extending rlanges or webs 8, slotted at 9 so as to adapt them to serve as the forward portions of i cheek plates which reinforce the sills l0 of the associated railway vehicle to which the flanges 8 are connected by rivets or other connecting means l l. In the present embodiment, although.

the connecting webs 8 serve merely as the forward portions of cheek plates, the rear portions thereof being indicated diagrammatically by dot and dash lines at I2, it is obvious that I do not Wish to be limited to this showing. The sills IU are slotted as indicated at I3 for receiving a draft key I4.

Extending rearwardly from the striking portion 5 of the combined striking casting 4 is a horizontal web or shelf portion I5, said portion being preferably offset downwardly adjacentto its rear end as indicated at I6 in order to underlie the associated cover plate (not shown) to which it is adapted for connection. The top of the offset portion I6 preferably corresponds with the top of the sills I0, the upper portion of said sills being coped as indicated at I1 to receive said web portion I6. Framing the opening 3 through the combined casting 4 is a horizontal web or flange I 8. For reinforcing the casting and strengthening the rearwardly extending web portions I5 and I 5, a plurality of longitudinally extending vertical webs I9 are preferably provided, the rear ends of which taper and eventually merge into the rear end of the web IG.

The side portions 6 of the combined casting 4 are preferably angular in vsection as illustrated for providing the desired strength and the connecting coupler carry iron portion 'I in the embodiment disclosed is formed inverted U-shape in cross section with an upper web 2i) and depending flanges 2| on opposite sides thereof, said flanges preferably increasing in depth towards the center thereof as illustrated particularly in Figure 3. Positioned upon said carry iron portion 'I is a Wear plate 22 which is formed for ready insertion or removal while `the coupler is in position. For that purpose, it comprises a web portion 23, a rear flange portion 24 relatively deep, a front flange portion relatively shallow and a pair of lugs or bendable tangs 25 on either side of said shallowflange portion 25. When it is desired to insert or remove the wear plate 22, the bendable tangs are positioned, as indicated by dot and dash lines in Figure 2, so as to extend horizontally and thereby not interfere with the positioning or removal of the Wear plate, the flange portion 25 being so shallow that it does not prevent insertion or removal of the plate 22 even when the coupler is in position as illustrated. ,-To apply the Wear plate after insertion in place, the bendable tangs 23 are bent downwardly from the position indicated in dot and dash lines to that indicated in full lines where theyY serve to securely hold said plate in position. In order to facilitate manufacture and minimize Waste, the rear flange 24 of the wear plate 22 may be notched at its ends as indicated at 2l, the amount of said notching corresponding to the diiference'between the depth of the tangs 26 and the flange 25 so that the front of the blank for a wear plate may be cut simultaneously with the rear of an adjacent blank as will be understood.

The rear end of the shank 2 of the coupler I is pivotally connected to an auxiliary swivel block portion 28 by means of a pivot pin 29, the coupler shank, swivel block and pin being correspondingly slotted or notched` as indicated at 39 to receive the draft key I4 for operatively connecting said coupler to an associated yoke 3I. The rear face of the swivel block 28 is adapted to engage cushioning mechanism 32- indicated diagrammatically by dot and dash lines. In the present embodiment, the yoke is shown of the horizontal type but, as will be explained later, I am not necessarily limited to using a horizontal yoke.

The butt portion of the coupler or rear end of the stem 2 thereof is provided with rearwardly extending horizontal web or flange portions 3S, said portions being curved along the rear faces or edges thereof coaxially with respect to the pivot pin 29, said pivot pin passing through registering apertures 34 therein. The swiveling block or auxiliary portion 28 is provided With forwardly extending web or flange portions 35, 36 and 3l which closely interengage the web portions 33 of the coupler and form pockets 38 therebetween for operatively engaging the curved edges of the flanges or Webs 33 of the coupler. These pockets 38 are preferably formed with bearing suifaces coaxial with the pivot member 2S for proper swiveling engagement with respect to the portions 33 of the coupler. p

The flanges or webs and 3l of the swivel block are preferably curved at their forward edges but Vare not adapted to engage correspondingly curved portions on the coupler stem, such portions being purposely omitted to give a stem of relatively small height whereby the same is readily inserted and removed through the aperture 3 in the combined casting 4. The central or intermediate flange 35 on the swivel block, which is intersected by the way or slot 38 for the key I4, is likewise formed with coaxially curved edges 39 for cooperation with the correspondingly curved pocket portions 4i] on the stem of the coupler. That portion of the swivel block rearwardly of the pivot pin 2S may be cored out as indicated at 4I to minimize weight.

The pin 29 is retained in position not only by the key I4 which intersects the same but also by a cotter 42 passing through depending lugs 43 on the swivel block and engaging a notched portion 44 on the pin. Upward movement of the pin is, in the embodiment disclosed, limited by a corresponding cotter 45 extending through registering apertures in a U-shaped boss 4t and overlying a portion of the pin 29. By making the boss U-shaped as illustrated,`the strength thereof is increased and the locking cotter is protected.

When it is desired to apply the coupler and swivel block to the car, the procedure is desirably as follows. The yoke is first placed in position on the rear guides (not shown) and the point of the key I4 inserted to hold it in place.

The swivel block 28 is positioned between the arms of the yoke, the key being moved a little further in order to support the block but notV enough to cover the pin hole therethrough. The coupler stem or shank is then inserted through the aperture 3 in the combined casting. into(Y place between the arms of the yoke with the flanges or webs 33 inserted in the correspond'- ing pockets 3B in the swivel block. The pin I9 is then inserted from the bottom and the supporting cotter 42 applied. It will be obvious that the top cotter 45 may be in position initially. The draft key I 4 is then driven all the way through to normal position. The carry iron wear plate 22 is then applied from the rear beneath the stem of the coupler and the tangs 28 bent down to lock the same in place as illustrated.

When it is desired to remove the coupler, the coupler head is first jacked up and the wear plate taken out after bending the tangs 26 up toinoperative position. The bottom cotter. 42 is then removed and the draft key taken part way out allowing the pin 29 to fall out.l 4The coupler-may then benentirely removed and the key it further withdrawn until the swivel block 28 is freed permitting removal of said block. The key now holds the yoke in position ready for the application of anew coupler.

Referring now-to the embodiment of my irrvention illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, inclusive, a coupler ia illustrated having a stem or shank 2l which may be identical with that of the first embodiment. The combined casting 4a, illus-Y trated diagrammaticaily, may also be identical with that4 of the rst embodiment and be connested to sills ma as previously described. )My coupler, in the present instance, is shown employed with a yoke SI11 of the vertical type, the draft key Ma 4extending through a hooded portion t? en said yoke and passing through correspending slottedportions in the stem 2a of the 28 o the first embodiment except that the` fastening means i5 and U-shaped boss 46 therefor at the top are dispensed with, vertical movement of said pin'a being limited by the top arm of the yoke lSla. The lower web or harige Sie or the swivel block 28e'is shown proa of depending apertured lugs 43a .en which extends Aa cotter 42a, said cotter, f ver passing through-a central notch Me in the key rather than an eccentric notch as in the embodiment. f

The upper and lower arms oi the yoke 3la are preisbly ormed with; respectively, depending and upstanding shoulders 43 and 49 which are pre ly curved coaxially witlfi'respect4 to the pivot i n Zea, the forward faces of the upper lower anges 35a and 3la of the swivel block and particularly the lugs 43a thereon with .respecttheretot Said depressed portion 5i! is cut at its central portion as indicated` at 5! to facilitate application of the pin 253e. The sides 52 of the yoke form the hooded portion connecting the ends ofthe upper and lower arms thereof and are slotted 'as indicated at 53 for receiving the key i421. permit the `desired relative movement between the coupler and yoke on buff, the slots 53 are longer than the key [4H and the slot 3l)a through thecoupler is likewise lengthened forwardly so that the combined excess lengthsrof the slots 53 and 36a provide for the necessary rearward relative motion of the coupler. portion 5B of theyoke is extended not only to permit the desired motion of the couplerbut also to facilitate assembly of the swivel block and coupler withrespect thereto. In-order to'V provide for supporting the associated front iol-fi In order .tov

The depressedlower 55 and the :forward portion yof thefcushioning mechanism Sii,` indicated' diagrammatioally by dot and dash lines, atthe kdesired elevation,th e depressed portion 5B is preferably bor-v dered by ribs or nanges54, the upper surfaces of which areon acorresponding. level with that of the main portion of the lower arm of the yoke Sie.' i

In operation,v the presentA embodiment of my invention is" used-with stop lugs 51 indicated diagrammatically..V by dot and dash lines,` said iugs beingfconnected to thesills in any usual orfdesired manner as will .be understood. The present form 'of'v my invention is adapted to be applied to and used with the same formof combined striking and. coupler carry iron castingV as speciiically described in connection with the nrst embodiment and the operation and mode of connectionandA detachment of theparts may correspondy with that ofthe first embodiment except that the inherent dierenoesL between horizontal and vertical yokesl are involved. Itr

should also be noted that the relative rearward motion of the coupler with respect to the yoke in theY present lembodiment isV provided mainly 'oy increasing the Vlength oi the slot in :the couplerY rather than` by correspondingly `increasing the length ofk the slot in the yoke;

The swivel butt may be inserted in position between the arms ofV the yokefbeyond the hoodor side portions 52 thereof with the depending lugs passing behind the rear ends of the ribs E51 at the depressed portion of 'the lower' arm of the yoke.l 1

Referring now to the modification of myr in.`

vention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, aconstruction is shown lwhich corresponds 'in some respectsY toA that disclosed ,in Figuresr e tov `7, inclusive, in that it involves a vertical yoke 31h provided with a lower shouldered. portion 49h. andan upper shouldered portion, not shown,V corresponding to the shouldered portions '49 and 48 of the' previous modificationpwhich portions cooperate with the `-swivel block which may correspond substantially with the swivel block 282L of Vthefprevious modification except that it is formed without the depending lugs 43a. which receive locking means. 2a. Said swivelblock, as the previous embodiments, V(zo-operates with the butt` portion of the coupler .lb in the same manner ras previously described and: isv swiveled'theretoby means of an yupright pinA Instead of holding the'pin 29'? iri place-by locking means extending beneath the .same and. connected tothe lower angeor web 3'l.ofV the'. swivel block 23h, said locking 'mearisfnbis' con-v nected Yto `the lower arm of the verticalk yoke Sib, and preferably extends throng-,fh an :aper ture 55 beneath the lower end orsaid pin. 291,

the ends of said locking member orcotter Y421.

being bent downwardly; as indicated at'f56, to lock the same in place. In 'order to provide for insertion and removal or thek pin 291 while the'v swivel block and coupler are-assembled with the yoke, the lower arm of saidwyoke provided with an aperture Mb Vvthrough which said pin swivel blockjz'and pin withv respect to the yoke.' Sib, anslotl 57 is provided in the lowerarm o said yoke 'which slot need onlybe the approxi-l mate width of the pin 2Gb and in'ilength'need only be suicient to permit the normal relative travel between the coupler and yoke.

The modification of my invention just described avoids the disadvantage of offsetting the lower arm of the yoke 3|b downwardly to the extent necessary in the previouslyi described modification illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, inclusive, as it will be obvious that with Vsuch an offset a high local bending moment is produced in the lower arm of the yoke, making it necessary to strengthen said arm by additional metal which serves no other purpose. By providing the locking memberV or cotter 42bconnected to the yoke instead of the swivel block the necessity of an offset is practically eliminated inasmuch as the amount of offset provided and indicated at 58 is almost negligible and all that is required is a sufficient offset Vto compensate for the shallow groove 51 previously described. Except as specifically described in connection with the present embodiment the same may correspond `substantially with that of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, inclusive.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have devised a swivel butt coupler which is so modified that it may be used with an A. R. A.

integral striking casting'and carry iron, the butt or stem of said coupler being formed of vreduced height so that it may be inserted in place through the aperture in such integral casting before application of the swivel block. This has been accomplished not only by eliminating top and bottom lugs which previously have been used on the shank of the coupler, but by also providing a` wear plate which is adapted for insertion or removal with respect to the carry iron portion of the casting while the coupler is in position. It will be apparent that, as contra-distinguished from previous forms of swivel butt couplers, it is necessary to remove the swivel pin as Well as the draft key in order to remove the shank of the coupler. It will also be apparent that my invention is not limited to use with any particular type of yoke and may be employed equally well with those of .both horizontal and vertical types.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a. draft rigging, in combination with a vertical yoke, an articulated coupler, an upright pin intersecting the elements of the larticulated coupler for pivotally connecting them, a key in-r tersecting the elements of said coupler, pin and yoke for holding said members in operative relation, the upper arm of the yoke limiting `upward movement of said pin, and locking means extending below one of the elements of said articulatedcoupler and said pin for limiting downward movement of the latter.

2. In a draft rigging, in combination with a yoke, a coupler of the swivel butt type formed with rearwardly extending flanges on the inner end thereof, a swivel block associated with said flanges on the coupler and formed with corresponding intercalated flanges embracing said coupler flanges, means extending through said intercalated flanges on the 'members for pivotally connecting the same, a key extending through registering slotted portions on the yoke and coupler parts for operatively connecting said coupler and yoke, said yoke being formed with shouldered portions extending forwardly of the upper and lower iianges on the swivel block as auxiliary means for connecting said coupler and yoke.

3. In a draft rigging, in combination with a coupler, 4a swivel block formed with Webs embracing the butt of said coupler, means passing through corresponding apertures in said webs and coupler butt for pivotally connecting the same, a yoke with a hooded portion embracing said swivel block and the butt portion of the coupler, means depending from said swivel block for lockingthe pivotal means inplace, the lower element of said yoke being formed with a depressed portion receiving said locking means and permitting relative motion therebetween, and ribs formed on either side of said depressed portion to provide aV support for the forward portion of associated draft gear.

4. In railway draft rigging, a vertical yoke, a coupler stem received in the forward portion of said yoke for relative longitudinal movement, a swivel block with webs embracing the rearward portion of said stem, and means extending through saidwebs and stem forpivotally connecting the parts, said yoke having shouldered portions provided on its upper and lower arms overlying the forward edges of said webs for limiting relative movement between said coupler stem and yoke.

5. In railway draft rigging, a vertical yoke, a coupler stem received between the arms of said yoke for relative longitudinal movement, a swivel block associated with the rear portion of said stem, a pivot pin connecting said stem and swivel block, and means depending from said swivel block for locking said pivot pin in place, the lower arm of said yoke being downwardly offset below said depending means to provide clearance and permit relative motion therebetween, and ribs upstanding from said yoke on either side of said depending means with their tops iiush with the normal level of the lower arm of the yoke and adapted to support the forward portion of associated cushioning mechanism.

6. In railway draft rigging, in combination with a vertical yoke, a, coupler stem associated therewith, a swivel block embracing the rearward portion of said stem, and a pin pivotally connecting said swivel block and stem and terminating short of said yoke, so that the stem and block move together independently of the yoke, the lower arm of said yoke being apertured to provide for insertion and withdrawal of said pin while the coupler and yoke are assembled, said aperture being normally operatively closed byretaining means connected to said yoke forV holding the pin in place.

7. In railway draft rigging, the combination of a coupler, a yoke, and means for connectingv said yoke and coupler, said means including a bearing block slidable relative to said yoke and engageable therewith for transmittal of draft forces, and means for pivotally securing said coupler to said block.

8. In draft rigging, the combination with a yoke member, of a coupler stem having a plurality of spaced arms adjacent its inner end, a block slidable in said yoke having arms embracing the arms of said coupler, a pivot pin for pivotally connecting said stem and block, means on said yoke adapted to have cooperative engagement with arms on said block in draft whereby said pin is subjected to quad ruple shear.

9. In railway draft rigging, the combination of a yoke, a coupler associated withk said yoke and having a two-part coupler stem movable amasar with respect to said yoke during transmission of builing forces, means providing a Vpivotal'connection between saidparts, one of said parts having portions embracing the other, and means engaging the ends of said portions for transmission of draft forces to` said yoke.

l0. In railway draft rigging, the combination of a yoke formed with bearing portions, a coupler associated with yoke and having a twopart coupler stem movable with respect to said yoke Aduring transmission of buing forces, and meansproviding a pivotal connection between said parts, one of said parts having portions embracing the other, said bearing portions being adapted to engage the ends of said embracing portions for transmission of draft forces of said yoke.

11. In draft rigging, the combination with a yoke member, of a coupler provided with a rearwardly open centrally disposed recess, a block adapted to slidably fit within said yokeV member, a portion of said block being adapted ,to extend Within said recess and other portions of said block embracing portions of said coupler, means for pivotally connecting said block and coupler, and means for engaging said embracing portions of said-block for transmitting strains to said yoke. Y

12. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke; of a coupler provided withashank; a butt member swivelled to the shank and having an end abutment faceV adapted to,

engage the front follower of a railway draft rigging, said butt member and yoke having shouldered engagement to effect movement of the yoke in unison with the coupler in draft; and a coupler key extendingthrough a portion ofthe coupler and yoke, forming an emergency connection for the same.

13.k In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a yoke; of a coupler provided with a shank completed by a butt member swivelled thereto, movable independently of the yoke onbuif, and having an end abutment face adapted to engage the front follower of a railway draftv rigging,V

said butt member and yoke having shouldered engagement to effect ymovement of the yoke in unison with the coupler in draft; and a coupler key extending through the coupler shank and yoke, forming a connection for the same.

14. In coupler mechanism, the combination of a coupler, a hooded yoke associated therewith for receiving a portion of said coupler, a bearing block, a pivotal connection between said coupler and block, and bearing portions provided on the end portions of a pair of walls of said yoke and having engagement with cooperative bearing portions on saidblock to normally receive draft forces from said bear-ing block.

15. In railway draft rigging, the combination of a coupler, a hooded yoke, means pivotally and slidably connecting said yoke and coupler, said means including a bearing block embracing a portion of said coupler and pivotally connected to said coupler, saidembracing portion of said block contacting an abutment portion of said yokein draft, whereby relative .pivotal action between said coupler and bearing block is permitted to transmit. draft forces to said yoke.

16. In railway draft rigging, the combination witha hooded yoke provided with bearing portions adapted to receive draft strains, of, a coupler stem comprising a plurality of 4relatively rotatable members, cooperating bearing portions provided. on said rotatable members adapted toA transmit bumng strains tothe draft rigging, other bearing portions provided on oneof said rotatable members adapted tocoact with the bearing portions onthe yoke, and means for pivotal-ly connecting said rotatable members.

17. In railway draft rigging, the combination with a hooded yoke provided with-bearing por,-`

- tiens adapted to receive draft stresses, of a two-.

pait coupler stem having portions thereof piv,; otally connected at a point intermediatethe ends of said yoke member, means formed on one of the coupler portions4 forengaging an element of thedraft rigging movable with respect to. Said yoke under movement in one direction, bearing surfaces on one of said coupler portions disposed about the pivotal connection thereof, some of said bearing surfaces being adapted to coact with the bearing portionsV on the yoke upon draft movement of saiddraft rigging.

18. In railway draft rigging, the combination with center sills, of a swivel buttv coupler having" means for engaging a movable element of the draft rigging upon movement in one direction, a hooded yoke provided with bearing portions, certain of said bearing portions being .adapted to contact means carried by said sills to transmit draft stresses thereto, said yoke having other bearing portions stresses, a plurality of co-.acting bearing portions provided on said coupler butt, somer of said bearing portions being4 adapted to cofact with bearing portions on the yoke in draft.

19. A coupler butt adapted for slidable move-V ment with respect to anassociatedghooded yoke including a plurality of pivotally connected members, co-acting kbearing portions provided on said members yand arranged concentrically of said pivotal conneotion,and a bearing portion provided on at least one of said members, said.- bearing portion being adapted to engage a com--V plimentary bearing portion` on said associated yoke for the transmission of draft forces.

20. In draft rigging, the combination of a hooded yoke provided with spaced arms, a coupler butt arrangement. slidable with respectto a pivotal connecting pin extending uninter:

ruptedly through said bearing blockand shank connecting said block and coupler shank, said portions and yoke having complimentary co4 acting draft-force-transmitting bearing lsurfk faces.

22. In 4draft rigging, the combinationv of a. hooded yoke, a coupler stem slidable in said yoke, said stem comprising a pair of sections, said sections having intercalated portions,v and a pin extending uninterruptedly through said portions.l

and adaptedto pivotallyV connect said sections, one of `said sections andyoke having comple.- mentary co-acting bearing surfaces forjthe transmission of draft forces.

28., In draft rigging, the `combination with a hooded yoke member having upper and lower walls, of a two-part coupler stem movable with Vrespect to saidyoke having the portionsuthereof pivotally connected at a point intermediate. the

ends of said yoke member, a portion of lone of said portions engaging a movable element of tbeadapted to receive draft l ms-v draft rigging under movement in one direction, and a portion engaging a wall of said hooded yoke upon movement in the opposite direction for transmitting draft forces thereto.

24. In coupler mechanism, the combination of a hooded yoke having bearing members disposedthereon, a coupler associated with said yoke and movable with respect thereto, a bearing member pivotally connected to said coupler and movable therewith with respect to said yoke, means on said yoke for guiding said bearing member, said bearing member and coupler having complementary bearing faces engageable over a substantially constant area regardless ofr the' relative position of said coupler and yoke,

said bearing member having members engaging said first named bearing members for transmitting stresses to ,said yoke.

25. In railway draft rigging, the combination of ayoke, a coupler associated with said yoke and having a two-part coupler stem movable with respect to said yoke duringtransmission of buiiing forces, means providing a pivotal connection between said parts, one of said parts having substantially horizontally disposed portions embracing the other, and means engaging the ends of said portions for transmission of draft forces to said yoke.

.26; In railway draft rigging, the combination of a yoke formed with bearing portions, a coupler associated with said yoke and having a two-part coupler stem movable with respect to said yoke during transmission of bufng forces, and means providing a pivotal connection between said parts, one of said parts having substantially horizontally disposed portions embracing the other, said bearing portions being adapted to engage the ends of said Vembracing portions for transmission of draft forces to said yoke.

27. In railway draft rigging, the combination of a yoke, a coupler associated with said yoke and having a two-part coupler stem movable with respect to said yoke during transmission of buffing forces, one ofV said parts having portions embracing the other, and means associated with said parts and cooperating with said embracing portions providing a pivotal yconnection therebetween, said yoke and portions having complementary bearing surfaces for transmission of' draft forces. k Y

28. In railwaydraft rigging, the combination with a slotted coupler having a bearing surface,

a slidable bearing block pivoted to said couplerY having a bearing surface cooperating with said first-named bearing surface, said bearing block having other bearing surfaces, and a hooded yoke cooperating with said coupler and having top and bottom walls provided with bearing surfaces cooperating with said last-named bearing surfaces for resistingdraft forces.

29. In railwaydraft rigging, the combination with a coupler, of a yoke provided with a hooded end, means including a bearing block and a pin pivotally connecting .said coupler vand yoke,

means carried by said yoke for retaining said pin in operative position, and means including coacting bearing surfaces provided on, said hooded end and said first-named means, said bearing surfaces being adapted to Vpermit relative pivotal movement ofthe coupler and yoke when en-V gaged-as'the result of movement of the draft rigging.` l

SOLIn'railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler provided with a bearing block having spaced bearing portions, of a yoke having a hooded end, one pair of walls of which is formed with slots for emergency receptiony of the standard key and the other pair of walls of which is provided with bearing surfaces adapted to be engaged by the spaced bearing portions of said block upon draft movement of said draft rigging, means for pivotally connecting said coupler and yoke, and a retaining member cooperating with said pivotal means and carried by said yoke. l

31. In draft rigging, the combination with a yoke member, of a coupler stem having a plurality of` spaced arms adjacent its inner end, a block slidable in said yoke havingarms embracing, and an arm embraced by the arms of said coupler, a pivot pin for pivotally connecting the arms of said stem and block, and means on said yoke adapted to have cooperative engagement with arms on said block in draft, whereby said pin is subjected to quadruple shear.

32. In draft rigging, the combination with a yoke-member, of a coupler provided with a rearwardly open centrally disposed recess, a block adapted to slidably t within said yoke mem-- ber, a portion of said block being adapted to extend within said recess and other portions of tions of said block for transmitting stresses to said yoke.

33. In draft rigging, the combination of a yoke provided with spaced arms, a coupler butt arrangement Yslidable with respect to said yoke, said arrangement including a block having portions embracing the coupler shank, said yoke and portions having complementary draft-forcetransmitting bearing surfaces disposed in spaced vertical relation.

34. In draft rigging, the combination with a yoke member, of a coupler stem comprising intermeshing members, means independent of said yoke member for pivotally connecting said intermeshing members intermediate the ends of said yoke, and means separable from and carriedby said yoke member for retaining said connecting means in operative position.

35. In coupler mechanism, the combination of a hooded yoke having bearing members disposed thereon, a coupler associated with said yoke and movable with respect thereto, a bearing member pivotally connected to said coupler and movable therewith with respect to said yoke, means on said yoke for guiding said bearing member in a transverse direction, said bearing member and coupler having complementary bearing faces engageable over a substantially constant area regardless of the relative position of said coupler and yoke, said bearing member having members engaging said first-named bearing members for transmitting stresses to said yoke.

A36. In a draft rigging, in combination with a vertical yoke, an articulated coupler, an upright pin intersecting the elements of the articulated coupler for pivotally connecting them, a key intersecting the elements of said coupler, pin and yoke for holding said members in operative relation, the upper arm of the yoke limiting upward movement of said pin, and locking means` extending below one of the elements of said articulated coupler and said pin for limiting downward movement of the latter, one of said articulated coupler elements having a pair of lugs de-4 pending therefrom and disposed on opposite sides of the lower portion of said pin and apertured to retainingly receive said locking means.

37. In railway draft rigging, in combination with a vertical yoke, a coupler stem associated therewith, a swivel block embracing the rearward portion of said stem, a pin pivotally connecting said swivel block and stem and terminating short of said yoke, so that the stem and block move together independently ofthe yoke, the lower arm of said yoke being apertured to provide for insertion and withdrawal of said pin while the coupler and yoke are assembled, and means normally operatively closing said aperture for holding the pin in place.

38. In a draft rigging, in combination with a coupler, a swivel block formed with webs embracing the butt of said coupler, means passing through corresponding apertures in said webs and coupler butt for pivotally connecting the same, a yoke with a hooded portion embracing said swivel block and Ithe butt portion of the coupler, means depending from said swivel block for locking the pivotal means in place, the lower element of said yoke being formed with an upwardly opening pocket, receiving said locking means and permitting relative motion therebetween, and portions on either side of said pocket to provide a support for the forward portion of associated draft gear.

39. In railway draft rigging, a vertical yoke, a coupler stem received between the arms of said yoke for relative longitudinal movement, a swivel block associated with the rear portion of said stem, a pivot pin connecting said stem and swivel block, and means depending from said swivel block for locking said pivot pin in place, the lower arm of said yoke having an upper surface downwardly offset, along the longitudinal center line thereof, below said depending means to provide clearance and permit relative motion therebetween, and portions on either side of said depending means with their tops lying in the plane of the lower arm of the yoke for supporting the forward portion of associated cushioning mechanism.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

